Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office ID’s Swimmer Found Dead in Lake Pepin as Rochester Man

Lake City, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities in Goodhue County have identified the victim of a Lake Pepin drowning over the weekend as a Rochester man. 

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The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office responded to the water emergency around 3:15 Saturday afternoon. 

The call came from the beach of Long Point which is north of Lake City. 

Rochester Man Identified as Victim of Apparent Lake Pepin Drowning

Witnesses told law enforcement that a 12-year-old girl and a 56-year-old man were walking in the water when the man vanished under water and the young girl was seen flailing her arms. 

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A boat near the man and girl pulled the 12-year-old out of the water after she became submerged. The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office says she was uninjured. 

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Authorities launched a multi-agency search for the man after learning he had not resurfaced. A drone was deployed during the search effort. 

The search continued until Sunday when first responders located the man’s body in the water. 

A news release issued by the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday identified the man as Ronald John Highet from Rochester. He was a family friend of the young girl rescued by the boater.